Microsoft Windows Blue Will Be Windows 8.1, Will Be Free Update From Windows Store

Microsoft has some fresh new updates about its upcoming next Windows update titled Windows Blue. Microsoft’s Tami Reller (Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Windows), while speaking at the JP Morgan Technology, Media and Telecom Conference, announced that the upcoming next Windows version previously called Windows Blue will be officially called Windows 8.1. It will be a free update for Windows 8 consumers and will be available through the Windows Store. She also announced that there are now more than 70,000 apps in the Windows Store.

In addition, Windows Blue, now officially Windows 8.1 will be coming to Windows RT as well. Earlier, we shared that the update may either a free upgrade or will be available for a low fee. With the official announcement all these rumors can be put to bed as Windows 8.1 update will be free to Windows 8 consumers.

Tami reiterated our goal of delivering continual updates to create a richer experience for Windows customers. Windows 8.1 is part of that and continues the journey we first began with Windows 8 last fall. Windows 8.1 will help us to deliver the next generation of PCs and tablets with our OEM partners and to deliver the experiences customers— both consumers and businesses alike —need and will just expect moving forward.

Today, there are more devices – and choice – allowing you to pick the right Windows 8 device that meets your needs. Windows 8 provides a great experience for consuming and creating content, for both work and play and on the go. And you’ll immediately benefit from continual updates – whether it’s from app updates through the Windows Store, performance updates through Windows Update or the Windows 8.1 update later this year.

From the official blog post its clear that Windows 8.1 update will arrive by the end of the calendar year. If Windows 8.1 follows the same schedule as Windows 8, the next Windows platform update will hit RTM most likely in August 2013. It will be released to the general public around late October 2013, which was earlier speculated.

In addition to these announcements, Microsoft also stated that the public preview of Windows 8.1 will be available starting on June 26, timed with the Build developer conference in San Francisco. The Windows 8.1 public preview will be available for Windows 8 and Windows RT.

Microsoft has promised that it will share more about Windows 8.1 in the coming weeks. So don’t forget to check back on us to get the latest updates about Windows 8.1.